BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic — There is no question about it, Jamaica’s Under-20 Reggae Girlz face another must-win test when they tackle hosts Dominican Republic at the San Cristobal Football Stadium here today.

Game time is 4:00 pm (3:00 pm Jamaica time).

On Sunday, the Jamaicans were put to the sword in a do-or-die contest against the Cayman Islands where they were successful 2-0, and with the dust barely settled, they are at it again.

But Jamaica’s rugged path in these CFU Zone E World Cup-qualifying play-offs started from their first game when they were shocked by bubbly Haiti 0-1 in their opening contest on Friday.

Haiti appear the favourites as they have two wins from as many starts and would take the one available automatic spot to the CONCACAF stage of the elimination from this zone.

In Zone F being contested in Cuba, only the winner from there is guaranteed automatic progression. Should Jamaica win today, they will have their eyes on Cuba as the best runner-up country from both zones will also progress as the third team from the Caribbean.

In Zone F, Cuba started their campaign with a resounding 5-1 over Guyana on Saturday, while Puerto Rico shocked Trinidad and Tobago 1-0. At press time last night, Cuba were due to face Puerto Rico and Trinidad were to tackle Guyana in their second set of matches.

It’s easy to assume that’s the spot that Jamaica can realistically compete for the way the ball has rolled so far.

Haiti lead the group with six points, Jamaica follow with three, while Cayman and the hosts have a point each.

With their backs against the wall and everything to play for, the Young Reggae Girlz came out blazing against Cayman on Sunday, though the scoreline was woefully disappointed in comparison to the clear-cut chances that were created.

And goals will be a precious commodity in Jamaica’s case, as it could critically decide their fate in the long run.

A flood of goals is what will be required to offer any comfort in the camp here and coach Vin Blaine knows more than anyone else.

“From the outset I said that we have to take it one game at a time and now we have gotten rid of Cayman, but this game against the Dom Rep we must win and win handsomely, as we have to be watching the other zone in Cuba… fortunately for us that zone is going similarly to the way ours has been going,” he said.

Blaine, as the rest of the team here, is confident of a victory.

“Looking at the Dom Rep team and I don’t think they can beat us and I say that without any reservation, but the approach is that we won’t be taking them lightly and can’t afford to be complacent,” he told the Observer after yesterday’s morning training session at the Score International Sports Complex.

At training, the objective was clear — sharpening the dull edges in attack.

“At the training session this morning (yesterday) we worked at some movement up top and some finishing and of course some free-kicks, as these were the areas in which we were lacking in the Cayman game,” Blaine said.

“It was not an intense session, but we were able to pay particular attention to some areas of weakness,” he added.

Before commencing the session, Blaine had a 10-minute talk with the Girlz where he sought to outline the weaknesses in the team on Sunday afternoon.

“I pointed out some things I saw in the last game, I tried to get them to understand their responsibility on the field,” he explained.

But based on their responses on and off the field, Blaine believes his Girlz are ready, but still he warned that on the day it could be a different ball game.

“I think they are ready, but I always maintain that you do something in training and the players are not able to transfer it into games, but once they can do that, they should be okay,” he said.

Blaine did not name a starting 11 as he’s watching “slight injuries” to a number of players following Sunday’s win.

Defender Sasalee Cooper, midfielders Carla Daniels and Khadija Shaw have been receiving treatment from team doctor Ephraim Evans.

But all things being equal, Taylor Grant, captain Trudi Carter, Khedine Salmon, Adriana Johnson, Kimberly Spence, Marlo Sweatman, Toriana Patterson, Shenika Williams and Shanyce Shaw should be considered for selection.

Other members of the squad are Renee Freeman, Kedisha Cardoza, Sharika Ingram, Lotoya Duhaney, Nicole Broderick and Melissa Bryan.

In the opening game of the double-header, the high-flying Haitians will face Cayman at 2:00 pm (1:00 pm Jamaica time).